Women’s Golf Team picks up first tournament victory of the season
DUNCAN, Okla. - The St. Edward's women's golf team and sophomore Kirby Baker held on to win the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Women's Golf Tournament on Tuesday at The Territory Golf Club.
With the temperature in the 60's and overcast, St. Edward's (304-310=614) beat second-place Angelo State (314-309=623) by nine strokes despite finishing second to them on day two. Northeastern State (311-319=630), Central Oklahoma (316-315=631) and West Texas A&M (320-313=633) rounded out the top five.
"I was very happy," said St. Edward's Coach Jennifer McNeil. "The weather wasn't great and it was a very challenging golf tournament, but we played really well today."
Baker (73-71=144) was the tournament medalist, winning by a seven strokes. Only Redland Community College's Kaitlin Higgenbotham (79-73=152) came close to matching Baker's 71 on the day. Angelo State's Raelynn Smith (75-76=151) and Megan Cisneroz (75-76=151) tied for second overall.
"It was amazing, especially since she was sick" McNeil said of Baker's performance.
There was only one other top-ten finish for the St. Edward's team. Freshman Jacy Benites (76-79=155) finished 10th, followed by freshman Melisa Gonzalez (78-78=156), who finished tied for 11th. Senior Erin Redfield (77-82=159) tied for 19th overall and senior Emily Kvinta (81-88=169) finished tied for 52nd.
Thanks to Benites's six birdies, which were tied for second most in the tournament, and Baker and Redfield's four apiece, the Hilltoppers had the most team birdies in the tournament with 17.
In addition, Baker led all competitors with 28 pars in the tournament. Gonzalez finished tied for fourth overall with 23 pars. St. Edward's also led the tournament in pars with 102.
The St. Edward's women's golf team will be back in action Monday in San Angelo, Texas for the Angelo State Invitational. The tournament was added to make up for the Dallas Baptist tournament, which was canceled in September due to rain.